Implementation of the HUD/DOT/EPA Partnership for Sustainable
Communities in EPA Region 5
Stephanie CwikUS EPA Region 5Community and Land Revitalization Branch
National Brownfields Pilot Project:Indianapolis Smart Growth District
Vita Nuova Sustainability SeriesFebruary 24, 2012
Partnership for Sustainable Communities Guiding Principles
Provide more transportation choicesPromote equitable, affordable housingEnhance economic competitivenessSupport existing communitiesCoordinate policies and leverage investmentValue communities and neighborhoods
www.sustainablecommunities.gov
Partnership for Sustainable Communities Indianapolis Smart Growth District
How did it get started? Brownfields assessment grant + area wide approach
= brownfields inventory Designated as Smart Growth District = buy-in from
city CARE grant to MBCDC, increased education in
neighborhood about environmental issues AIA SDAT team involvement:
outlined major issues for the neighborhood and some strategies for revitalization
EPA-led projects
Sustainable Skylines InitiativeCSO Long Term Control PlansBrownfields Redevelopment AreasSmart Growth Redevelopment District
Monon ParkwayCultural Trail
RCRA Sites – Toxic or Air Releases onlyLCD, ORD & Brownfields K6 Grantee Kansas State
CARE Grant
Legacy ProjectSuperfund Removal Sites
DOT&MPO-led projects
East Washington/Historic US 40 corridor
Indianapolis-led projects
EPA HUD DOT Sustainable Communities Pilot Project – Indianapolis, IN
City of Indianapolis: Department of Metropolitan
Development Planning Brownfields Grants Management
Office of Sustainability Mayor’s Office of Economic
Development Parks and Recreation Indianapolis MPO
Community Development Corporations: Martindale-Brightwood CDC King Park Area CDC
Federal Partners EPA HUD FHWA FTA
State – Indiana Finance Authority/Indiana Brownfields Program
Unofficial Committee Member – AIA Sustainable Design Action Team Implementation Committee
Advisory Committee Comprised of many different stakeholder groups:
Partnership for Sustainable Communities Indianapolis Smart Growth District
Begin crafting the Revitalization Strategy: Challenges Assets Priorities for redevelopment
Connection of brownfields, transit and housing
Jobs Neighborhood character
Partnership for Sustainable Communities Indianapolis Smart Growth District
Added focus to existing projects Community infrastructure assessment IndyReZone 16th Street Comprehensive Planning Meetings
Partnership for Sustainable Communities Indianapolis Smart Growth District
Implementation: Funding Charrette Develop a concrete, 3-year funding plan for
improvements to the 16th Street Redevelopment Area Identify local and federal funding sources Prioritize investments and identify projects
Partnership for Sustainable Communities Indianapolis Smart Growth District
Funding Charrette Results
Linkage and leveraging – cash in on Indy’s influx of capital
Create communications and outreach strategy for residents as well as funders
Promote walkability by providing developable sites
Demonstrate incremental successes and opportunities for the near future
Efforts should be concentrated on improving the lives of the people and providing what they need in their community.
Partnership for Sustainable Communities Indianapolis Smart Growth District
Partnership for Sustainable Communities
Has this changed the way we work? Yes.
Convener: Able to rally feds and neighborhood groups to get out of their own stovepipes.
Leverage other existing activities: ongoing EPA projects, other federal grants, other local projects.
Impact: This collaborative approach has allowed the local CDCs to build capacity and effectively communicate with different city departments.